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Chavez Demands Colombian Explanation

Updated April 3, 2002 12:01 a.m. ET

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez demanded that Colombia explain its military's claims that Colombian rebels launched deadly attacks from Venezuela last month. Colombian Gen. Martin Orlando Carreno "told a great lie," he said in a speech. "We are demanding a response." Venezuela has filed a formal complaint with Colombia over Gen. Carreno's claims that rebels took refuge in Venezuela after a March 20 battle. Gen. Carreno said the rebels launched mortar attacks from Venezuela, and he claimed a group of about 140 guerrillas have a camp about a half-mile inside Venezuela. Colombia hasn't responded to...